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Should You Keep All Plastic Out of the Microwave? Here’s What Experts Told Me – USA All Americans NEWS™
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Should You Keep All Plastic Out of the Microwave? Here’s What Experts Told Me

Microplastics may seem like a wellness buzzword, but studies are accumulating about the amount we consume daily, with the long-term health risks still unknown.

While a microwave on its own is said to be safe, putting plastic containers, plastic wrap, silicone and other polymer compounds under its freakishly hot rays could be causing bigger problems.

person putting plastic container in microwave

Microwaves can cause food storage containers to leach chemicals into food. An expert explains how to avoid the issue altogether.

Yaroslav Litun/Getty

Before we delve into the specific materials and their numerous variables regarding suitability for microwave use, consider the following.

Look for microwave-safe labels only as a starting point

Leftovers in Plastic Food Containers

Damaged food containers can leach chemicals into food.

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Damaged containers can potentially lead to the leaching of chemicals or toxins in your food. They may also malfunction due to the vibration of electromagnetic waves on which the microwave’s functionality relies.

Regardless of whether a container is labeled as microwave-safe and regardless of its material, discard it if it’s not in good condition. 

“If it’s scratched, pitted, cracked or otherwise damaged, then you can no longer assume that it is safe to use in a microwave,” says Kelly Johnson-Arbor, toxicologist for MedStar Health. 

Don’t go from the freezer to the microwave

Antique Store Treasures, Williamsburg, Virginia, racks of old fashioned plates

Vintage plates, bowls and serving dishes often contain adornments that aren’t microwave-safe.

Leigh Ann Speake/Getty Images

Even if you’re working with a microwave-safe material, be wary of containers or bowls that have excessive decoration. 

Patterned conventional ceramics are typically fine, but “be cautious with decorative coatings or metallic trims, as they can spark or break down when overheated,” Li says.

The best microwave-safe options: glass and ceramic

Glass and ceramic containers are generally safe to use in a microwave oven, according to Johnson-Arbor. 

“Both act as insulators, meaning that they are resistant to heat transfer,” she says, so the vessels themselves don’t get hot, while the electromagnetic waves work to heat the food contained within them. 

In addition to tolerating high heat, “glass and ceramic containers usually do not contain organic chemical additives,” says Li.

Glass

For safely nuking food, glass is your friend.

ceramic dish in microwave

Ceramic containers are some of the safest options for microwaving food.

Qwart/Getty

Commercial ceramics are generally microwave-safe and should be labeled as such, but be sure to double-check those that are more decorative or artisan-made. 

“The glazes found on some ceramic products can contain heavy metals, including lead,” says Johnson-Arbor. “When these glazes are heated, the lead can leach out and contaminate food or liquids present in the ceramic container.”

Many ceramic food storage options also feature plastic or rubber lids, but here’s a ceramic/glass combo we love, complete with silicone lids that can be used in the fridge or for transport, and can be swapped for glass in the microwave.

CorningWare

Is it ever safe to put plastic in the microwave?

Microwave

Experts recommend exercising caution and reading the product materials carefully when using plastic in the microwave. 

Panasonic

BPA-free containers are marginally better, according to the experts. 

“Polypropylene, often called ‘PP plastic’ or labeled ‘#5 plastic,’ is generally a better option,” says Li. “It has good heat resistance and tends to contain fewer additives compared to other plastics. That said, fewer doesn’t mean none, and it still uses some chemicals like antioxidants or stabilizers during manufacturing.” 

The safest possible stance? “Since the overall impact of microplastics on our health is still unknown, some people choose to entirely avoid using plastic food containers in microwave ovens,” says Johnson-Arbor, which is the safest possible stance, regardless of whether something is BPA-free. 

Plastic wrap, which is generally approved for use in the microwave due to its heat tolerance, should never come into direct contact with food.

If you don’t want to give up the convenience and budget-friendly nature of BPA-free plastic storage containers (and you’re committed to taking responsible care of them and tossing them if they get scratched), here’s a set we have previously recommended.  

Bentgo

decorative paper plate next to plain white paper plate

Decorative and colored paper plates should stay out of the microwave.

Dorling Kindersley:Dave King/Getty

You may have several types of paper on hand in your kitchen, including paper towels, wax paper, parchment paper, butcher paper and even a variety of paper plates for festive occasions. Should you put any of it in the microwave?

“For most everyday uses, plain white paper towels or paper plates are generally safe to use in the microwave,” says Li. A paper towel is a handy cover for reheating food on ceramic plates, helping to avoid splatter without resorting to plastic wrap.

But there’s also a catch. 

“You should avoid microwaving colored or decorated paper plates, brown grocery or take-out bags, and any paper plates that have a water- or oil-resistant coating,” he says. “This is because we cannot exclude the possibility that they can smoke, melt or release unwanted chemicals when heated.” 

The same holds true for wax paper, which can melt or degrade at high temperatures or when in contact with certain types of food. If a paper product has a shiny or smooth side, best to avoid it as a general rule.

Metals are never microwave safe

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